Fabrication of multi-functional nanofiber mask

• Main Author: Chua, Rachel Yi Xuan
• Other Authors: Darren Sun Delai
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2022
• Subjects: Engineering::Materials::Nanostructured materials
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/163451
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Globally, the Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) outbreak of 2019 has garnered a lot of attention due to its severe health implications. Over the period January 2020 through December 2021, 5.94 million deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported. Studies have shown that respiratory pathogens can transmit through contact, droplet and airborne spread. Hence, it is crucial that non-pharmaceutical interventions like usage of mask and respirator act as a first line of defence to prevent transmission. In general, commercial surgical mask only acts as a physical barrier to trap infectious pathogens which trap pathogens. In addition, prolong use of the face would weaken of the electrostatic adsorption due to the accumulation of moisture trapped in the micro filters thus reducing the overall removal efficiency. Therefore, the development of a multi-functional nanofiber with antibacterial agents’ properties are important to prevent the risk of secondary contamination of the contaminants. The fabrication of a hybrid silver-copper polyvinylidene fluoride nanofiber mask was investigated in this study. Silver and copper have been used extensively throughout the human civilization due to its exceptional antibacterial property. Copper was first incorporated within the polymeric matrix and subsequently hydrothermal to allow the formation of copper nanostructures on the polymeric matrix to maximize the active surface area of the nanofibers. Next, silver were incorporated through a redox-hydrothermal reaction where silver nanostructures grow on top of the copper nanostructure nanofibers. Characterization was carried to investigate the growth of the copper and silver nanostructures on the nanofiber. The video contact angle test shows the growth of the nanostructures on the nanofibers provided super wetting effect. The increased in wettability provide quick spread mechanism which can effectively disinfect the pathogens on the surface. Anti-bacteria test against E. coli and S. aureus strain of bacteria shows clear zones of inhibition which display signs of microbial inactivation. Lastly, the air particulate test shows excellent filtration efficiency of 96% and 90% for a 1 hour and 3 hours test respectively. This study has shown that synthesis of silver and copper nanostructures on the nanofibers had greatly enhanced the overall performance of the mask in terms of filtration and anti-bacteria performance. Overall, the fabrication of multifunction nanofiber mask can effectively provide protection to user from infectious pathogens.